"I'm both a Capricorn and an Aquarius because I was born between both signs"

If any of this sounds familiar, here's the real deal:

NOPE. NO. NOT A CHANCE. ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Why?

Because when it comes to your Sun Sign or any planet in the birth chart, it can only be in one sign at a time. This is because astrologers work with degrees, hours, and minutes.

Let's take a look at a sample birth chart.

Birth chart courtesy of astro.com

The date October 23 is when Scorpio season begins in Western Astrology, though if you look at the chart as pictured above (some of you may know Johnny Carson as a famous TV personality from years ago), the Sun is located at 29 degrees, 36 minutes and 55 seconds of Libra. That means the Sun won't be entering Scorpio until another degree later.

Each of the twelve zodiac signs (again, I'm speaking in terms of Western Astrology) are made up of 30 degrees, beginning with 0 (yes we count the zero) and ending at 29; adding up to a 360 degree circle. So as you can see, there's a lot of math and detail that goes into astrology (and I've barely scratched the surface here), which is why it's important to know the details of your birth chart. Accuracy is everything.

What fires you up? What makes you passionate? What are you willing to fight for?

Under today's Full Moon in Sagittarius, we're called to answer these questions as the Full Moon comes in conjoined to fiery Mars in Sagittarius, and opposite to the Sun in Gemini. We're supposed to get passionate about something, but what?

The Gemini-Sagittarius axis (polarity), is largely about honoring what we know or what we believe to be true. Through Gemini and Sagittarius, we move beyond our immediate four walls to access and learn information, then share what we've learned with others, crafting and re-crafting our personal belief system along our journey. However, as Full Moons are about releasing the things we no longer need; and Mars being retrograde now is about bringing that hot, Martian energy to the interior, we are called under this Moon to reevaluate our belief system, to reevaluate what we know in order to cast any self-limiting beliefs into the fire and watch them burn away.

Of course because Full Moons are emotional and the Sun in Gemini is more about words, and rational thought (and how we identify with those thoughts) we are reminded that head and heart must align for us to truly make progress forward. For example, how can we fully let go of something if not at the emotional level first? Or, how can we be in alignment with our convictions, our personal truths, our visions if how we feel doesn't align with what we speak? This Full Moon gives us the power to expand our awareness, to move beyond our personal borders (whether real or imagined) to become truer versions of ourselves. Mars gives us the courage to hold ourselves accountable. How will you define your freedom?

Stability has never been my forte. Put another way: I have always lived my life in a state of crisis. One reason for this is because it's part of my Chironic story. Having natal Chiron (karmic subconscious wound) in Taurus has meant that one of my biggest challenges in this lifetime has been to overcome insecurity, as Taurus is a sign whose purpose is to experience all the luxury, resources, and self-worth life has to offer. Another reason why instability has been an issue for me is because it's also a part of my family legacy. In my birth chart, Uranus (instability) sits right on top of my 4th House (emotional conditioning, family history), plus I have my Moon (instinct, emotional style, the archetype of one's mother) in unpredictable Aquarius.

In plain terms, this means I grew up in a household with parents whose own childhood wounds resulted in drug addiction and for my mother especially, mental health issues. The result of which often meant eviction threats, utility shut offs (we went years without a phone in the house), second hand clothes, nearly empty refrigerator, and fights over money (mostly the lack of it) my family and I dealt with time and time again; year after year. And because I grew up in scarcity, it became all too easy for me to take on the same bad habits with money my parents had, along with the belief that I would never have enough because, I too, wasn't good enough to deserve it. I had came to believe that scarcity was my birthright. As a result, stability in all of it's Taurus essence --being well-fed, well-paid, well-dressed, well-lived--has always been something that has eluded me (actually, frustrated the fuck out of me); up until now.

Fast forward to today, under this New Moon in Taurus which falls directly on my Midheaven (10th House), a critical point in everyone's birth chart that connects each of us to the promise and manifestation of our personal legacy, and I find the power of this moon, of Taurus season resonating with me more than it ever has in a very long time. Perhaps this also because I've been on a fever hot mission (thank you Mars) to break the cycle of my familial legacy (thank you Saturn) so that I can build (and maintain) a solid foundation for myself and my daughter. Today this New Moon gives me the opportunity to plant the seeds to create this future. Today, this New Moon in Taurus gives us all the opportunity to lay the groundwork to create the kind of life we desire.

This is why for me the biggest question under this moon is not so much about the kind of seeds we're planting but more about what we do when we've planted them; when we've set the intentions, made the prayers, or created the vision board to make our dreams real. What do we do when it seems like it takes forever to make progress or as though we are making no progress at all? Through Taurus, we dig in. We work. We add 1 part determination and 2 parts resilience. We say fuck fear and fuck failure. We treat ourselves kind. We affirm that abundance and pleasure are our birth right. We have patience. We hold our ground.

When I'm on Twitter, I usually get asked by curious astrology beginners how they can go about getting their birth chart online.

Of course, I always recommend purchasing a reading with a reputable astrologer first. But, before I became the astrology aficionado that I am today, I spent long hours on astrology websites, googling what I could before moving on to astrology books, and then registering for astrology classes and mentoring.

That said, the best way to learn about astrology is to first learn about you. This is where having your birth chart comes in handy. Even if you decide that you don't want to pursue astrology full time like I did, it's still helpful to know what your birth chart looks like and what it's about.

A sample birth chart. photo: theastrologydictionary.com

The quick and easy way that you can get your birth chart for free is by visiting astro.com. Select the Natal Chart, Ascendant option from the Free Horoscopes pull down menu (as pictured below) and then follow the steps to enter in your birthday information. To get an accurate chart, it's necessary to know the exact time that you were born, though you can still find out your Moon, Venus, Mercury, etc. signs by using a 12 Noon birth time.

Recently, I shared an article on Facebook, which described the work ethic of each zodiac sign. One of my Facebook friends commented on the post that "I'm always confused when I read Libra descriptions though because I don't seem to fit the bill.” I responded to her comment by asking if she had ever had her birth chart done. She said she hadn’t, which I of course figured out was the case, but it was my gentle way of informing her that astrology is a bit deeper than the pop culture or Sun sign astrology that we usually come across in newspapers and magazines. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sun sign astrology, as it is the Sun that symbolizes the core of who we are, our style of self-expression, when it comes to astrological interpretation. In fact, astrologer Jessica Adams wrote a really good piece a while back about the importance of Sun sign astrology and how folks (mainly professional astrologers) need to stop looking down on it. Here's the link if interested: http://www.astro.com/astrology/aa_article141231_e.htm

But I digress.

While I know that my Facebook friend meant no offense with her comment (and no offense was taken) it did make me think about the many other occasions when I’ve seen people post or speak about how astrology doesn’t resonate with them because they can’t relate to the traits assigned to their Sun sign or the horoscopes that they come across in popular media. Now while I’m no astrology fundamentalist (I recognize and respect that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea), I do suggest that people do a little research with it before they decide to write astrology off entirely. That said, here’s a couple of suggestions on what to do when your zodiac sign doesn’t ring true for you:

1. Read more than one horoscope. There are tons of astrologers out there who write horoscopes; some for mainstream publication, some for their own website or following, which means there are a variety of styles, voices, and content to choose from for keeping current with the cosmos. I often recommend to astrology beginners to pick 2-3 astrologers they really dig and make a habit out of reading their forecasts. Sometimes you need to have options in order to find something that resonates with you.

2. Look up your birth chart. A birth chart is kind of like having your own cosmic map or blueprint. If you know the hour and location of your birth, you can go to a website like astro.com, where you can pull up your chart for free and take a look around. If you’re feeling really brave, you can Google around a bit to try to interpret it first all on your own. However, no advice really compares to my last point:

3. Get a reading. This tip is probably the most important advice that I can give you as even a horoscope won’t be able to go into full detail with you about your birth chart. In a reading, a reputable astrologer would not only show you, for example, that you’re an Aries Sun, Cancer Moon, and Taurus Rising, but they would also show you how these three pieces (and more) work together to fuel your greatness and how they can sometimes trip you up.

So, that’s it. That’s my approach. It’s actually the path I took before I became a professional astrologer. Try it out and let me know how it goes. And of course, if you ever need a reading, get atcha girl.

Ok, so the big news for this month are the eclipses. For those of you who may be unsure of what eclipses mean, think of them as really, really, really important (super, even) New and Full Moons. Except, the difference between an eclipse and a regular New or Full Moon is that eclipses tend to bring sharp and fast changes that can often feel like a crisis or emotional upheaval of sorts, and unlike a regular New or Full Moon, eclipse energy lasts for a full six months.

The eclipses of this month: one on March 8th in Pisces (Solar) and the other on March 23rd in Libra (Lunar) pick up where the Virgo and Aries eclipses of September 2015 left off. Eclipses come in pairs and wil set off a chain of events (or at the very least heighten our attention) in two very connected areas of our lives; for example: career and family. The purpose of eclipses is to keep us moving, keep us growing, and to help us with a shot of tough love to let go of anything holding us back. People often report feeling the effects of an eclipse (myself included) up to a week or so before it actually happens. Since eclipses have to do with the very emotional energy of the Moon, I usually advise people to get all the rest, nourishment, and comfort they can get around this time. Eclipses can be tough on the body and spirit. But when that medicine they deliver kicks in, we become all the more better for it.

Eclipses in Pisces tend to highlight what we need to release and heal, when we need to listen to intuition, engage compassion, and dream big. Solar Eclipses spark beginnings and fresh starts. Those of us with planets or angles (look to your birth chart) near 18-22 degrees of Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Pisces will be most strongly affected.

Eclipses in Libra tend to highlight where we need to be more diplomatic, gracious, and balanced in our relationships. Lunar Eclipses signal endings and culminations. Those of us with planets or angles near 2-6 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn will be most affected. Incidentally, this eclipse will be the final eclipse of the Aries-Libra pairing which began back in October 2013, and took place again in April 2014, October 2014, March 2015 and September 2015. Think back to see what epiphanies or actions may have been triggered at that time. This is eclipse will be the final chapter of the story.

Still, the eclipses won't be the only things happening this month. Read my March horoscopes (coming soon!) to find out what else to expect.

The world slows down a bit as Mercury enters Pisces today (March 5th). Over the next couple of weeks, the Universe encourages us to allow dreams, intuition, and compassion influence our thoughts and messages.

Note: there's a waning square between Mercury and Mars as Mars enters Sagittarius that will last another day or so before Venus joins the fracas (more on that later) between the mutable signs (Pisces, Virgo, and Sagittarius) on the 12th. A rule of thumb: Intuit first, then speak/act. Don't go for the BS.

Mars enters expansive and adventurous Sagittarius (March 5th) to make an extended stay from now until September (taking a brief dip back into Scorpio from April to July). Under this influence we're passionately motivated by distant travels, international causes, the bigger picture, heated debates, the mission for truth and justice and of course, good old fashioned debauchery. Though with Jupiter in Virgo (details), Saturn in Sagittarius (responsibility), and Neptune in Pisces (intuition) flanking Mars, we'll need to have a clear aim/strategy before taking off for territory unknown.

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have caught me tweeting recently on how important it is not to skip meals and how missing meals is actually a form of negating abundance. Keep in mind that I understand for those who can't afford to eat regularly or suffer from an eating disorder, eating on a healthy and consistent basis is of course out of their control and requires help. However, for those of us who are able to keep up with our meals, we shouldn't take for granted that creating space to eat (as well as the food itself) is a form of physical wealth.

As we move through Capricorn season, which includes a New Moon in Capricorn and Mercury's retrograde through Cap (both of which have lit up my zone of income and possessions), we are encouraged to review and redefine our wealth. While food and nourishment may seem to fall in Cancer's wheelhouse, Capricorn has some authority in this realm too as Capricorn shares Cancer's need for security. The only difference being that Cancer craves emotional security while Capricorn seeks it in the material world. And if we can consider land and crops as a physical resources (both provide a source of sustenance/security), then our bodies have to be included too. After all, we can't do much if we don't have our health. Plus, if we want to magnetize abundance, we have to be in a place where we feel abundant already in order to draw more of it to us, otherwise we'll find ourselves operating from a place of desperation. And desperation is not sexy.

If you missed my tweets, I've included them below. Unsurprisingly, when I asked how many people worked through their lunch or ate at their desk, I received a huge response from people (mostly women) who said they did and apparently way too often. Incidentally, not long after I tweeted about taking necessary time during a busy day to eat, two of my friends on Facebook (who don't follow me on Twitter) posted two separate articles about the same thing, which you can find here and here.

So, an artist on Twitter, who goes by @_martiniboy, created this card inspired of course by Nicki Minaj and the minute I saw it, I couldn't help but to fall in love with it. When I saw the image retweeted into my timeline early this morning I knew there needed to be a full deck based on it; not only because Nicki Minaj has been stealing my heart more and more as of late but because I believe gorgeous artwork like this, Tarot imagery based on people of color, is largely absent from the Tarot market. (A Tarot friend of mine, Beth of littleredtarot.com, recently wrote about this issue on her blog).

As a Tarot reader, I have yet to find a deck featuring people of color that really resonates with me as a black woman, which is why I've been clinging so heavily to my Black Cats Tarot Deck (which features cats, not people LOL).

The Magican from The Black Cats Tarot Deck

And this is not to say that there aren't any decks that exist with subjects of color, the Daughters of the Moon and Motherpeace Tarot decks immediately come to mind. It's just that the selection is so sparse.

Cards from the Daughters of the Moon deck. Photo courtesy of astroamerica.com

This is also a similar issue I sometimes have with astrology, as the Western astrology I practice is rooted in Greco-Roman symbology. Which is why I often choose to include wider representations of astrological symbolism on my blog and elsewhere. To me, it just makes sense to be able to see affirmative images of yourself if the goal of Tarot (or any other form of divination/spiritual practice/self-development method) is to consistently affirm yourself and your connection to the Divine Source.

But back to Nicki and this glorious card. I (and about a thousand others) have begged the artist to create a full a deck. I'm happy to report that he says he is considering doing two more cards featuring Beyonce and Rihanna (especially since Nicki saw the card and gave it her blessing). I asked him to go for the full 22 Major Arcana. We'll see if he does. Either way, I look forward to seeing more.

Happy Full Moon-- excuse me, SUPERMOON in Pisces! Under this super dreamy, watery moon we're called to sit still and FEEL into our needs and desires. Our hearts have been speaking to us for a while, but the mental/outside chatter may have been too loud. This is the time to listen, so the heart may be heard. Pay attention to your dreams.

On a slightly different note, there is a lot of Neptune haze in the atmosphere today and the next few days. While it will be important for us to feel our feelings to tap into the magic that surrounds us, we must be careful not to avoid the truth or waste time with what can never be. In other words, this moon can help us to cut through and release the bullshit if we want it to.

Hellooooo Jupiter in Virgo! Over the next 12 months: refine, renew, reorganize, remedy. Work the earth. To find out what the planet of luck, opportunity, and abundance has in store for you, check out my August Horoscopes.

Yes! Warrior planet Mars is in Leo beginning today until Sept 24 and the swag gets turned all the way up. Simply put, we get what we want by way of confidence, passion, and sheer hauteness. Meow!

Fun fact: Not only do I have Mars in Leo in my birth chart, but the model in this photo, Herieth Paul, shares a birthday with me! (didn't know that until after I selected this photo.) Herieth and the entire editorial from the June 2014 Dress To Kill Magazine is fire btw.

Communicator Mercury, transits its home turf in meticulous Virgo from Aug 7-27, and we're concerned with just the facts. We're checking our to-do list and checking it twice as we're the mood to get our lives in order. If you find something or someone to be an unhealthy distraction, it's time for a little self-analysis. Edit out what is no longer useful/necessary, then rewrite your narrative.﻿ You are the author of your story.

July 31st brings a full moon in Aquarius, the second full moon of this month; otherwise known as a Blue Moon. Symbolically, blue moons are considered to be auspicious since they rarely occur and therefore signify occasions that have a once in a lifetime kind of vibe. Truth be told, I've been aware for weeks that this full moon was coming but I didn't really get the chance to think about what this moon would mean until after a rather impromptu text exchange with a dear friend of mine. She wrote: "I feel challenged to think outside the box." And that's an Aquarian theme, right? Aquarius pushes us to think outside of the box. Aquarius pushes us to do things differently than we have ever done before. Through Aquarius we experience breakthrough, freedom. So why has breaking through been so hard?

To say that this last month has been emotional is an understatement. With 50-11 planets in Water signs, the past 30 days (and if you want to get technical: the last two years) have been downright distressing. From Saturn in Scorpio churning up our fears to Neptune in Pisces wearing down our walls to transit planets in Cancer poking hard at our soft spots, we have been living in a world under water. Having been given the cosmic push to plunge deep into this space, to experience the full spectrum of our emotions, for some of us this period has been cathartic--cleansing. For the rest of us, this period has been full of painful reminders; water does after all hold our memories, as does the moon. In too much water, we can feel stuck, drowned, and well in over our heads. Though this full moon in Aquarius provides a buoy. This moon in Aquarius offers up fresh air; a shot at freedom from the stagnant and murky entanglements that hold us back.

In astrology, Water signs usually get the credit for being the most intuitive, though Aquarius, an Air sign, is intuitive too. Co-ruled by the planets Saturn and Uranus (the mythological keepers of time), and represented by the symbols of electricity and water--Aquarius is a conduit. Picking up on trends and currents, Aquarius experiences this intuition by way of aha-moments, rationale, and flashes of insight. As full moons represent culminations and endings of a cycle, this moon represents a much needed goodbye. This is a moon of the future.

Looking back again at what my friend wrote to me, I am reminded that this moon is co-ruled by Uranus in Aries and Saturn in Scorpio. Whatever flashes of insight we receive, whatever decisions we make at this time has less to do with thinking outside of the box and more to do with finding the courage (Aries/Scorpio) to actually move beyond it. We already know what needs to be done, what changes need to be made for true progress. We just need to do it. This is our chance.

Freedom, independence, and unconventionality is so punk rock; so is Uranus in Aries. Anarchy, chaos, and eccentricity, is also punk rock; just like Uranus in Aries.

Uranus, begins its five month retrograde today (July 26-Dec 25), supercharging the planet of independence, originality, and the unexpected. While a retrograde (or backwards motion) of a planet seems to weaken its powers, Uranus--the off-beat member of the bunch, works differently (of course).

While Uranus is retrograde in a bold and impulsive sign like Aries, we can expect an increase of information, insights, and incidents that seemingly pop up out of the blue. This means under this influence we can either experience a shake-up that inspires us or jars us completely loose. And that's the great riddle of a Uranus transit; the gift and the curse. Its lessons can sometimes be the thing(s) that sets us free and shakes us to our core...kind of like a yell or the act of yelling, which can be equally liberating, defiant and terrifying.

Though as I mentioned in my post on the current Venus retrograde , the point of a retrograde is to be more of an observer opposed to taking direct action. With Uranus, a planet of action currently housed in Aries the sign of action, many of us may find it hard to keep our impulses in check over the coming months. Yet, the biggest questions to consider: is whether those impulses are truly the keys to freedom or an empty rebel yell? Is there a way to act on our own impulses and inspirations in a way that not only benefits and empowers us but others as well?

Beginning today until September 6th, Venus goes retrograde; first in Virgo, then moving back to Leo. As the planet of love, harmony, beauty, and wealth; Venus helps us to get pleasure out of life. Symbolizing our approach to relationships and what we deem valuable, natal (birth chart) and transit (orbiting/moving) Venus pushes us to find balance, improvement, and security in everything we hold near and dear to our hearts.

However, when a Venus retrograde comes along, our special things (and people) come up for review. Challenges and disagreements in relationships become more apparent, while a job, location, or subject we may have loved doesn't seem so lovable anymore. Finances come up for scrutiny too. If our bank accounts are lacking, Venus retrograde asks us to reassess our worth. Are we settling for less than we deserve? And what about our personal style? Is it time to look the part we want to play? Could our look use a little va-va voom?

In Virgo, Venus retrograde asks us to go over our relationships and budgets with a fine tooth comb; analyzing the results and involving ourselves with only the people/things that improve us. In Leo, Venus retrograde is about valuing our talents, our specialness--and when others don't, having the confidence to walk away.

As with any retrograde period, this is a time to review the areas that Venus symbolizes; not necessarily a time to act on them. This means, that we make note of the challenges that come up, think and discuss resolutions but we don't make actual changes until Venus goes forward or direct. This review or sitting period ensures that we don't make hasty decisions and get the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the seriousness of the situation. This rule also of course applies to beginning new relationships, jobs, etc. we want to be long term or doing anything drastic to our appearance. Wait until Venus is direct.

Though we'll all be affected by Venus retrograde (depending on where she currently is orbiting in your birth chart), those of us who can expect the lessons of this Venus retrograde to hit particularly close to home are:

Libra Suns and Ascendants/Risings (Venus is your ruler)

Taurus Suns and Ascendants/Risings (Venus is your ruler)

Sagittarius, Virgo, Gemini, and Pisces (while Venus is in Virgo)

Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius, and Taurus (while Venus is in Leo)

And remember, when it comes to retrogrades, don't panic. Think of retrogrades as Cosmic Quality Assurance. The Universe is helping you to make sure your wheels don't fall off when you hit the gas.

On July 18th, the Moon helped kick off Lady Venus' transit of Virgo, indicating that our emotional fulfillment, well-being, and finances will be best experienced through a discerning and sensible filter. When the planet of love and wealth expresses herself through an Earth sign such as Virgo, quality over quantity becomes the mantra.

Given that Venus will go retrograde on July 25 (and back into Leo, from July 31-September 6) it seems appropriate that her first stop before heading backwards will be in Virgo. As with Virgo, a Venus retrograde encourages us to go over our relationships and money matters with a discriminating eye, eschewing anything (or anyone) that's more trouble than it's worth.

Aside from being the zodiac's Editor in Chief, Virgo also teaches us the importance of service to others. During the height of Cancer season, I stressed how vital a self-care practice is to navigating the wear and tear of everyday life. Though as Leo season approaches; bringing with it Jupiter's move to Virgo, and later followed by Venus, much of the cosmic emphasis will be on extending the support and concern outside of ourselves. Just make sure that your time and resources are being given to a worthy cause.

Inspired by the Sun's passage through Cancer, I was digging through some old email recently, and came across a piece I wrote some years ago (six to be exact) when I was wearing my poet hat. I remember writing this after dealing with a string of less than stellar relationships with men who weren't right for me. When I performed/read this piece in front of audiences, I always prefaced the poem with a joke about playing the "angry woman" so as to make it more palatable to the men that may have been in the audience. Looking back, I believe that there was a part of me that was angry but I also think that I was using that anger to draw a boundary of sorts. This was the beginning of a cathartic purge, of me taking a stand for myself and other women that also allowed themselves to be sucked into relationships--however fleeting--with men who devalued us. Today, I freely admit that this poem is angry. It's gritty, it's caustic but sometimes anger is the very thing you need to save yourself.

Vantage Points from Venus

Homeboy, this is a notice:This is a notice to inform you that from now on, from this point forwardThis moist, soft fold of flesh, between my thighsBrown like soil, seeped in rose water—With gossamer rings that circle the sun like Jupiter—Will in fact, no longer be your nomadic dumping ground.

My man, this is a noticeThis is a notice to apprise you that at this very point in timeMy pussy will no longer be considered as some random gaping hole, empty crevice, curbside GutterFor you to fillWith sour spitAnd dirty fuck fingersThat stick in me, stuck stickyWith bad blood birthedBetween you and the women who came before me

My dude, this is a noticeThis is a notice to enlighten you that as of today and every day immediately afterMy vagina will no longer be your battlegroundFor you to stage your one man revolutionsAgainst your army of spastic demonsCamped on bridges spanning matriarchal meltdownsAnd the fantastical failures of ill-equipped dads turned infant in the eyes of gods

Oh boy. This is a notice.This is a notice to advise you and your likeminded gentryThat your penis will no longer be a battering ramIt will no longer be used to break down my uterine wallsIn an effort to break me or my momentumIn breaking up your preconceived notions about who or what you mistake me to be

And mister believe me when I tell you about me—This girl, woman, daughter, sister, mother, loverAnti-Hottentot, uber VenusShe who sits atop the worldBalancing the weight of the universeUnder the pressure of her wombHolding whole galaxies between forefinger and thumbShe who steadies whole oceans between bellies and hips She, me, I,I, me, shehas come to put you on blast That until further noticeMy black ass will no longer take your shit.

But fuck what they talkin' about on your timelineThat's cuttin' all into my time with youFuck what they talkin' about on your timelineThat's cuttin' all into my time with you

-Drake, "Jungle"

Mars is in Cancer from June 24th to August 8th. As a sensitive and emotional sign, this is not an easy place for Mars, the planet of sex and fury to be in. At worst, Mars in Cancer can make us touchy, brooding, and unable to let go of the past. Yet, at it's best Mars in Cancer teaches us the power of loyalty, intimacy, and the importance (emotional satisfaction) of protecting what we love. Act from your heart.